Ashton Dream on Hold

West Ham striker Dean Ashton had been thrilled to be selected for new England manager Steve McClaren’s first squad and was hoping to earn his first full international cap in the friendly against Greece, until tragedy struck in the final Tuesday morning training session. A seemingly innocuous challenge left him in agony and soon afterwards a hospital scan confirmed his worst fears – he had broken his ankle.

There will be other opportunities for Ashton, but not for some time, and as he contemplates a long spell on the sidelines, spare a thought for his club as they embark upon the new season without one of their key players. No wonder Hammers boss Alan Pardew described himself as “devastated